§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list for all the member countries of the European Economic Community details of the measures in force in each country aimed at regulating or reducing prices.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimComprehensive information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost to public funds. The following notes, however, summarise the position in each member State in general terms:
Belgium
Price increases by undertakings above a certain size must be notified 3 months or more in advance and the Government may take sanctions. The maximum prices of food and some consumer goods are controlled.Denmark
Both wages and prices are governed by an Act of March 1979 which extended the existing wage agreement and limited price increases to cost increases less wage increases above the stipulated levels.France
738WAlthough prices have been controlled for much of the time between 1945 and 1978, the present Government are dismantling many of the controls which have been in force in re-cent years. With minor exceptions, industrial product prices were freed in 1978 and it is hoped to free the prices of services and the profit margins of distributors by the end of 1979.Federal Republic of Germany
In general prices are not subject to any controls. The exceptions to this are the prices of pharmaceuticals, Government-controlled services such as transport, telephone and postal charges and prices subject to Government authorisation—electricity, rents under the social housing policy and certain professional fees.Irish Republic
Some goods are subject to maximum price orders.Italy
The prices of some commodities and ser-vices are subject to specific legislation. There have also been price freezes in recent years.Luxembourg
With the exception of certain commodities and perishable goods, price increases must be notified at least 60 days before the intended date of implementation. In addition maximum prices—for example potatoes—may be set by decree.The Netherlands
Intended price increases must be pre-notified to the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The Ministry in general allows increases only if they can be justified by increased costs and if the amount of the increase is within the limits they themselves set.United Kingdom
The order requiring large firms in both the public and private sectors to pre-notify the Price Commission of intended price increases was revoked with effect from 24 May 1979. A Bill to abolish the Price Commission will be introduced shortly.